# Navigating Robotics Through the Political Landscape

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2024-10-11
- Length: 1h 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape

## Summary

Dr. Henrik Christensen, Qualcomm Chancellor's Chair at UC San Diego and co-founder of Robust AI, discusses the critical intersection of robotics and federal policy, arguing that robotics requires federal attention and coordination similar to AI. He highlights the challenges of reshoring manufacturing, the negative impact of potential tariffs on US robotics, and the necessity of immigration reform to address labor shortages. The conversation also covers the implications of the CHIPS Act, the need for independent semiconductor fabs, and the importance of international partnerships while managing geopolitical risks with China.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=0) Introduction and Robo Business Preview
- [6:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=371) News: Robot Utility Models and Service Robot Sales
- [15:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=959) News: Corvus Robotics Funding and Drone Technology
- [25:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=1518) Interview: Federal Funding and Robotics Roadmap
- [29:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=1755) Reshoring Manufacturing and Labor Shortages
- [35:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=2141) Political Campaigns, Tariffs, and Industrial Policy
- [44:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=2644) CHIPS Act, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Fabs
- [50:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=3035) International Partnerships and Geopolitical Risks
- [56:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=3365) Defense, Energy, and Climate Tech Investments
- [1:00:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=3630) Regulation, Safety, and Humanoid Hype
- [1:07:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-11-navigating-robotics-through-the-political-landscape#t=4021) Immigration Reform and Workforce Shortages

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Robust AI (company)
- UC San Diego (other)
- Corvus Robotics (company)
- Zebra Robotics Automation (company)
- Intel (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Kuka (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- ABB (company)
- TSMC (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [I’m the CHIPS bill / Stuck on Capitol Hill…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-02-04-im-the-chips-bill-stuck-on-capitol-hill) (EE Times Current)
- [The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-04-21-the-hard-truths-about-reshoring-american-manufacturing-w-eddy-azad) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [254: From Steel City to Robotics Powerhouse: Pittsburgh’s Industrial Legacy featuring Jay Douglass, COO of ARM Institute](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-09-23-254-from-steel-city-to-robotics-powerhouse-pittsburghs-industrial-legacy-featuri) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [EMS & The Economist: Geopolitical Factors Shaping the Manufacturing Sector](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-09-14-ems-the-economist-geopolitical-factors-shaping-the-manufacturing-sector) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [From CES To Factory Floors: Robotics, Labor, And The New Supply Chain, with Shawn DuBravac](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

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